I'm not, and my comment wasn't so much directed at you as at the general sentiment around him. But yeah even if it's his "role" I'd prefer he never make those runs. He's not quick enough to threaten stretching a defense and I'd rather him just constantly get the ball played to his feet. Drove me crazy that Ten Hag had him doing it as well when playing as that "high 8". You don't make a Thiago regen do a bunch of running in behind. You pass him the ball and let him go to work knitting the team together.
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I'm not, and my comment wasn't so much directed at you as at the general sentiment around him. But yeah even if it's his "role" I'd prefer he never make those runs. He's not quick enough to threaten stretching a defense and I'd rather him just constantly get the ball played to his feet. Drove me crazy that Ten Hag had him doing it as well when playing as that "high 8". You don't make a Thiago regen do a bunch of running in behind. You pass him the ball and let him go to work knitting the team together.
Given that he was taking up the same positions that the player he replaced was, only with more success, I guess it might be tactical, which makes sense since you want Mainoo supporting the attack with his link up play...
I personally don't want him to play so high, whilst he has a good attacking game, he's not at the level of our actual attacking midfielders. Let him sit deeper and pick passes into the attackers when they are in space, rather than pushing forward himself and clogging that middle section of the pitch.
The idea of 1 staying and 1 going seems to have gone from the game lately, but it's still the best way for me to unlock a defence that's sat in.
I thought he was excellent tonight. Him and Palmer have to start the next game for me. Gallagher did alright though, not his fault the forwards didn't create anything again.
Shame noone anticipated his cutback and Kane was on his heels for the first time pass into feet. Palmer seems like he's on the same wavelength though
I find it astounding that most fans sat at home can see from day 1 that Mainoo and/or Wharton are better options than TAA & Gallagher in midfield
The fact that Southgate…who’s paid a fortune…decided to play both TAA and Gallagher ahead of them is unbelievable.
Hes just such a boring manager. Always worried way too much about the opposition instead of letting them worry about us
The fact that Southgate…who’s paid a fortune…decided to play both TAA and Gallagher ahead of them is unbelievable.
Hes just such a boring manager. Always worried way too much about the opposition instead of letting them worry about us
Mainoo looks like he's grown
That is all
That is all
He's a coward no ifs,ands or buts about it.
All the serious contenders took the final group matchday as a chance to experiment and tinker with their lineups and formations. Southgate adopted the same set up with the only change being the one fans and media have cried out for since the start about not being suicidal by playing TAA in midfield
But the thing is he doesn't even set up a team to take advantage of this. At least Deschamps embraces his preference for being solid and hard to play against over trying to swamp the opposition with brilliant football going forward. But in doing so he also ensures that France will always be lethal on the break. Southgate could do something similar as well, packing the midfield with Wharton/Rice/Jude and having Saka/Palmer/Gordon stay high and wide for counters with Watkins as a runner. Sure he'd get stick over benching England's star men but the team would actually make sense in what their plan is and how they look to approach the game. I'd rather him do that and let me be annoyed by a general approach, than do what he's doing now where it's this complete lack of understanding how players fit together and just shoving a bunch of names onto a teamsheet and calling it "attacking"
When TAA came on, he was drifting centrally while Kobbie moved up the pitch
There was a bit near the end where Trent just ran off into midfield and Mainoo had to be RB for ages. Was literally ridiculous and you could see Trent looking back knowing he was way too high but not coming back.
My god I shouted at the TV when he blazed it over the bar. What a preposterous decision in that moment. But that's been TAA all this tournament, his decision making has been baffling.
Southgate gave him a point to prove by never picking him, now he's the obvious choice to play in one of the full back positions and is raring to go and he picks him in fecking midfield where he doesn't have a clue. I'm no Trent fan but I genuinely don't blame him for what's happened so far - he's at least showing the desire and energy he has sometimes lacked, but the man management is poor.
You're going on like he's not 19. Of course he needs some work!
It was the most obvious one-two and the boy can score goals.
Both of them showed through their actions on the pitch that they're ready to start. Can Palmer play as well on the left ahead of Foden/Bellingham? One of them needs to be dropped.
I'm torn, I want him to do what we know he can but also don't want him brought down by the usual England circus
I believe that when a midfielder is able to dictate a game, is the ultimate compliment you can give him.
He may have the ability to dictate games, however, there hasn't been a United game where he has done that for a better part of it. It ought to come with time if he progresses as he has done so far, but he is not there yet. He has these patches of 10-15 minutes where you don't see him on the ball, maybe tieed legs, maybe the formation. A top midfielder will never allow that.
I'm not trying to disrespect him, but I don't agree with the sentiment that he is player now that dictates games. In regards to the match today, he seem to be able to do more damage thru the center. However, I do often see him trying to play next to the line as an third man between the winger and the full back. I know Southgate's choice would be Gallagher or Trent for the next match, but I would love to see him and Palmer start before Galagher/Trent and Saka.
I think Englands midfield need to get a little bit more adventurous . Rice is playing within himself a bit too much . Teams are not going to let us square pass around them .
I thought Kobbie was good , it was good to see him get a half . I think he can be a lot better . He's a player they need to learn to pass to when it's tighter , that's when he will make space .
I thought Kane made the wrong choice at the end , the keeper had edged that way after the backheel , maybe if he'd have gone back to Kobbie instead , he'd have slotted it keepers left as he was moving back over .
It could've been a great goal , probably better than the fa cup one that him and Bruno made look easy . We will never know now .
I thought Kobbie was good , it was good to see him get a half . I think he can be a lot better . He's a player they need to learn to pass to when it's tighter , that's when he will make space .
I thought Kane made the wrong choice at the end , the keeper had edged that way after the backheel , maybe if he'd have gone back to Kobbie instead , he'd have slotted it keepers left as he was moving back over .
It could've been a great goal , probably better than the fa cup one that him and Bruno made look easy . We will never know now .
I am so pleased that Mainoo is progressing so well. 
The future is bright!
The future is bright!Drop Bellingham, play palmer out wide with Foden central. Kobbie and Rice in CM. Bellingham thinks he’s untouchable… he needs to be shown that he isn’t.
He also came on and immediately tried a Hollywood 50yard pass which didn’t work.
I hope Southgate doesn't start him, we need him fresh for next season.
This is what should’ve been done from the beginning, it’s so obvious for anyone with a pair of eyes on them. Trying to shore in Bellingham who is similar type of player to Mctomminay (just a better version of him) and you don’t understand what this player is all about, is he a midfielder? No. Is he a number 10? Not really lacks the vision, dribbling, and slickness required. Is he a wide player? No. He certainly has qualities but he’s very tough to accommodate.
Jude can 100% play the number 8 role effectively. He did it in Qatar and for Dortmund. He’s just in poor form at the moment.
Yeah I think the problem that Southgate definitely fecked up with is, is Jude in poor form because he's tired or is it because the system/players were playing in? It would be one thing if one or two guys weren't playing up to their potential, but it feels like it's the entire attack that aren't in sync and look leggy
Nah he was atrocious and didn’t provide any service to the players in front of him. Gallagher that is!
Not sure you can say he’s in poor form when he’s just finished the season with Madrid as their top goalscorer. Southgate obviously doesn’t help with his tactics and system but if he’s going to play a certain way he needs to drop certain players that can’t do specific roles.
Foden, Kane and now Bellingham are the problems in the team, possibly along with Rice and Trent. You can't blame the mid-talent water carrier for them not doing anything. Gallagher's job was to press and provide a bit of tempo and he did his best on that front I thought.
It's disgusting how some posters constantly try to undermine Mainoo.
Unfortunately I believe he’s worked his way in the starting 11 next to Rice. Our boy was excellent yesterday
I think you’re underestimating Southgate’s levels of stubbornness. Gallagher will start the next game.
I thought his pass accuracy must've been high as I didn't see him lose the ball once.
Tbf to him he did bring kobe on at half time. England looked far better 2nd half, this won't be overlooked
The flick to Kane was saucy AF. Just wish he had got it back to finish the move. Wonderful footballer.
even old Horse-face must have seen how much better England played with Mainoo. So much more dynamic we were not passing it sideways as much. He got the ball and looking forward.
Which posters undermine Mainoo?
Yes, form is temporary. Him being topscorer in the league on the bck of his form 6-10 months back does not prevent him from being in bad form now. As a matter of fact many complained that his form was variable at best for RM after new year.
He had a good game for me vs Serbia, but has not been mentally sharpe after that, and vs Slovenia he was even quite clumsy on the ball. Probably been a long season for his 20 year old head.
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